DianeF

Frazier B

USA Vet

I see that 60% of those who voted in this survey did so with the response that did NOT define Americanism, it defined "Nationalism". Nationalism is the excessive or fanatical devotion to a nation and its interests, often associated with a belief that one country is superior to all others. We saw this in WWII with Nazi Germany as well as Imperial Japan.

Americanism, in my opinion, is the recognition that all humans are created equal and as such all must have the same opportunity to vote, to work, to have access to education and health care. It also the recognition that we Americans have been very fortunate and need to share with others less fortunate. Americanism is the understanding that our ancestors came as foreigners and we have the obligation to pay this opportunity back to our ancestors by helping others who want to be American. Americanism is understanding we MUST vote for our leaders and respect the leaders we communally have elected.

Mick Cole

Well stated. Frankly, the way the answers are formulated leads me to wonder whether at the national level the AL is moving toward neo-Nazi style ultra-nationalism, which is contrary to the US Constitution and therefore anti-Patriotic.

kirk

Kevin williams

Richard Hofacker

I totally agree with US VET's comments. My great-grandfather and his brothers emigrated from Germany around 1840 and all served in the Union Army during the Civil War. In WWII I was sent to Germany and spent 3 years helping to instill democracy, which happily took root and prospered. I hope we can learn to control the negative emotions in our society and live up to our ideals of humanity, responsibility, enterprise, cooperation, and patience. If we do, our future is boundless.

Richard Hofacker

Nowhere in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution does it mention Patriotism, Love of Flag, Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem or ANY symbols, although it does mention "common defence", which could be construed to mean "willing to serve in the U.S. armed forces." What IS emphasized in the Preamble is "a more perfect Union" (because between 1776 and the Constitution's ratification 12 years later in 1788, the 13 original states had a very imperfect Union, including unwillingness to pay the soldiers who fought in the American Revolution). Added to the goals of the Constitution's Preamble are such key words as ""establish Justice" (the Supreme Court), "domestic Tranquility," "promote the general Welfare," and "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" -- which could be assumed to include the 4th option in the poll regarding sharing values with the young people of America.

Don T.

DougG

All of the above PLUS living within the ideal expressed by Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address: government of the people, by the people, for the people. People in this country need to think long and hard about what was said in that address. It is short, simple, and to the point. It is most appropriate today in our society that totally promotes self-serving interests.

Thomas R Gold

Americanism is not living "by your leave". I need no one else's permission to live my life. It includes private ownership of land, liberty, and the unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness ... whether I reach it or not is my own responsibility.

Fred Shelton

The sharing of American values with the younger generation is only part of the issue. Remember two of the pillars of the American Legion is Veterans rehabilitation, and support. As well as child welfare. Most answered the second statement. Yes that is required as well, but we can't ignore the other two pillars, National Defense, and security, and Americanism.

Paul P.

The national desire to do what is right, and not to fall into the corruption of so many other countries. Americans stand up against corruption regardless of whether it is a rich person, a politician, a public employee, a law enforcement person, or a neighbor. And as such we can be proud Americans!

Bud J

bigmac1

None of the above answers define Americanism!
Americanism is living under the rules and guidelines set up in our Bill of Rights and our Constitution. It involves our citizens and elected officials working to a common goal of promoting Life, Liberty and Prosperity for everyone who is willing to work to achieve it. It is defending and providing for the helpless, less fortunate. It is protecting our citizens. And it is welcoming all from outside who come here after following all the rules, to join us in our way of life.

Salvatore R LaRosa

Kurt Pochert

One thing everyone is forgetting: What is the motto of the American Legion? For God and Country! Notice that God comes first. The Judeo-Christian heritage of this country makes for Americanism. Where in the world do we get the basic precepts of the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution? Forgetting that and we are no longer Americans, but relegated to the ash heap of world history.

LieutenantCharlie

LieutenantCharlie

AMERICANISM is best defined by the PATRIOTISM of the AMERICAN TEA PARTY PATRIOTS, and their devotion to the Freedoms of America. And in their strength to fight the Corrupt and Criminal Regime, that now occupies our White House and our Government.

Pearson/Pierson Triplet Society.com

Since my first response was apparently cut off.. How about taking this Machiavellian question and by design answers and ask a Native American the question.. Or keep asking the Immigrants.. They do know eh? No matter which way you cover it up. It is still what it is..

Proud of the American ideal, ashamed of the current state

Americanism - attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests, or ideals of the United States.

Nationalism - ideology based on the premise that the individual’s loyalty and devotion to the nation-state surpass other individual or group interests.

And 62% think: Love of the flag, the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and other symbols of our nation’s freedoms.

Sorry people, but there is a BIG difference between loving the symbols and loving the ideals which those symbols represent. There is also a difference between believing and upholding certain ideals and blind devotion, right or wrong.

Mama Habu

I think "NONE of the Above" would be my answer... Patriotic, by definition is someone who 'Loves and Defends his Country' - To me, that is more than just willingness to Serve, it means a Love so deep that you are willing to GIVE YOUR LIFE to Defend. As for the symbols of Patriotism, and the passing on of American Values to our children, these are off-shoots of the Love and RESPECT we hold for our fore-fathers and Patriots before us who willingly GAVE THEIR LIVES for us.

USA Army Vet

All of the above was not a choice, it should have been. Americanism is the belief that we are equal before GOD, and this country was created by our fore-fathers to give us a free, moral, and GOD fearing society with a frame work to keep it that way.

John Scohy

Checker

Patriotism is love of God, Country, and Family, our constitution, as originally written, and the commitment to defend all of them against all threats, foreign and domestic. We are letting the government take our freedom in exchange for hand outs.

Richard J Brown

To serve this country at all times no matter in war time or in periods of peace. My father served in WWII & the Korean conflict. My wife's father served in WWII. I enlisted right after Vietnam .our parents were also members of the American Legion.I served in a time of peace in Korea . (The146 ASA) & The 165th military Police co. at Fort Bragg, n.c. Our fathers fought for peace in this world. I as many others stood guard through Cold War times. Are we consider less patriotic??? The American Legion needs to ask that question ? What were we fighting for ? Peace?.. I' m so proud of our today Military. They fought so long. They deserve a time of peace. Doesn't the American Legion want that?

Anonymous

Patriotism and Love of the flag, the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and other symbols of our nation’s freedoms, Willingness to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, the sharing of American values with younger generations. Americanism is belief in the same fundamental values our country's fathers sought to instill and make permanent through the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. Americanism is believing that these rights and values are worth fighting and dying for in the pursuit of their proliferation throughout the world. Sadly, Americanism has taken a beating by the political and media machines. I fear for my country and its current state.